**Date:** 4-22-67
**Source:** Unknown
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The first day of the United Rubber Workers strike against UniRoyal, closing down the large plants in the borough, passed without incident. Picketing was conducted in an orderly fashion and the company made no attempt not to honor the lines around the plants. Pickets were stationed at all gates by the three locals of the borough from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. yesterday. Picketing was suspended last night at 6 p.m. for the weekend and will be resumed Monday at 6 a.m. All’s quiet in downtown Naugatuck this morning with the air of excitement of the first day gone. The big question today is how long will the strike last. Negotiators are returning to the borough from Ohio today with talks scheduled to be resumed Wednesday. The strike order came to the borough from Cincinnati about 12:30 a.m. Friday morning, within minutes of the announcement by the Union officials of the strike operations for closing down the plants began. White collar workers were allowed to pass through the lines all day yesterday. The strike call came after weeks of negotiations which failed to produce agreements on a new contract. Both union and company officials have failed to disclose the issues in a pact that no information will be forthcoming unless, released simultaneously. However, rumors persist that the main issues are wages and a guaranteed annual income. URW workers have struck three of the big five Rubber firms, UniRoyal, Firestone and B.F.Goodrich.Negotiations with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. have continued on a day-to-day basis. However, 500 workers at a Goodyear plant in North Chicago, Ill., walked off the job yesterday forcing the plant to shut down. Work continued at all of the company’s other plants. The fifth firm, the General Tire & Rubber Co., is negotiating toward a May 15 contract deadline.